Over the past few years, the Chinese aircraft construction organization Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation has been developing the promising H-20 strategic bomber. The project remains secret so far, and almost nothing has been reported about it. However, in recent months, serious sources have twice shown the possible appearance of such a machine. Probably, this allows us to expect that in the near future the new bomber will be officially presented.
Welcome to the future
In early January, the PLA Air Force released a commercial urging young people to enroll and join the ranks of military pilots. The short film tells about a young cadet who goes through all stages of training and enters the service in one of the combat units. An excellent worker in combat and political training is entrusted with the newest J-20 fighter, in which he - remembering the feats of his fathers and grandfathers - defeats the enemy.
In the finale, the protagonist receives a new assignment, he is transferred to long-range aviation. The pilot comes to the hangar, where he meets the newest aircraft of an unusual appearance, hidden under a cover. Then the protagonist reveals the bomber, and it is effectively reflected in the light filter of his helmet. "Welcome to the future!" - invite subtitles.
An unknown new bomber appears literally in two frames, and it will not be possible to examine it in detail. However, under the cover is clearly visible swept "flying wing" with a protruding fuselage, as well as upper protruding air intakes. Pulling off the cover, the pilot showed in the reflection the pointed streamlined nose of the machine with the landing gear. The glazing of the cockpit cannot be seen - it was hidden by a spectacular cinematic glare.
According to press reports …
The June issue of the Modern Weapons magazine published by the Chinese corporation NORINCO has recently been released. Its cover shows the new H-20 bomber in flight. In addition, the publication presented several other images of this aircraft from different angles.
The magazine shows an airplane of the "flying wing" scheme with a streamlined fuselage protruding upward and rectangular consoles, the trailing edge of which is not connected to the edge of the center section. On the sides of the fuselage there are protruding air intakes fairings. The propulsion system nozzles are displaced towards the center of the structure. On either side of them are two collapsed keels. The outer contours of the bomber are formed by straight and curved lines. There are numerous hatches, panels, etc. with straight and broken edges.
The aircraft is manned, and the cockpit is located in the nose of the fuselage for an unknown number of workplaces. A large cargo hold is provided in the center of the aircraft. On the sides of it is probably a twin-engine power plant. Obviously, most of the other volumes of the rudimentary fuselage and wing are given for fuel tanks, providing a high flight range.
"Modern Armament" does not provide any details of a technical nature, such as the composition of onboard equipment, flight characteristics, etc. In addition, the timing of the development work, plans for production and deployment, etc. is not specified.
New versions
The development of a new Chinese bomber became known for a long time, but its appearance has not yet been officially disclosed. In this regard, various versions, guesses and speculations on the topic regularly appeared. A number of options for the appearance of the new aircraft are known - but so far only the PLA Air Force knows which of them and how much corresponds to the real project.
Known options for the appearance and layout of the H-20 were markedly different from each other. The most popular were the various versions of the "flying wing" with various features. However, other versions have been proposed, incl. structures with a flat elongated fuselage and V-shaped empennage in the tail. It is curious that all or almost such versions generally corresponded to the known fragmentary data about the promising project.
The two latest versions of the H-20 from the PLA Air Force advertisements and from NORINCO magazine are of particular interest. The fact is that this time the information comes not from unknown sources, but from official structures. It is unlikely that the air force of China, when advertising the service, will call out young people with non-existent models - in the presence of a real interesting project.
The situation is similar with the magazine "Modern Armament". He regularly writes about interesting Chinese developments and tries to maintain a good reputation. Thus, new images from this edition may correspond to the real project. However, it is impossible to exclude certain deliberate "mistakes" for hiding certain information.
It should be noted that the last two variants of the appearance of the H-20, shown this year, are in conflict with each other. So, in the Air Force video, a "flying wing" without vertical tail, which is present in the images from "Modern Armament", is clearly visible. Also, the plane from the advertisement is distinguished by larger air intakes. There are some differences in the profile of the bow.
Secret future
According to foreign press reports, China planned to present the new bomber last year at its main aviation exhibition in Zhuhai. However, the well-known events of last year led to a revision of plans - and the Airshow China 2020 exhibition did without a loud premiere. No new plans to demonstrate the Xian H-20 have yet been announced. However, only a few months are left before the next air show, and soon the first news about its program should appear.
Apparently, the first airplane show will not have to wait long. Several years ago, foreign media said that the H-20 should go into service in 2025. Accordingly, by now the construction of a prototype vehicle could be launched or even brought to testing. The finished prototype aircraft, which has passed part of the tests, can be presented to the general public.
It is unlikely that China will hide its new development for a long time, since it is of particular importance for the development of the Air Force and nuclear forces. Xian H-20 should become a new instrument of strategic deterrence, and therefore it must be presented as early as possible - in order to send a clear signal to a potential adversary.
Warmed interest
The likelihood of an early demonstration of the H-20 aircraft is constantly growing. And this can be linked to recent materials from official structures. It cannot be ruled out that the footage from the commercial and the publication in the magazine are intended to stir up interest in a promising project. Perhaps this is due precisely to the upcoming premiere at one of the future events.
The nearest major air show, worthy of becoming the site for the main premiere of the last few years, is only a few months away. This means that at any time new materials may appear that reveal certain features of the new project. However, the most important and high-profile event will not be regular leaks or official publications, but a full-fledged demonstration of the first car of a new type.
